The leading Dutch team as well as the top three individual riders after the second day at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games met up with the media on Wednesday afternoon, and here is what they all had to say at the press conference and when speaking with World of Showjumping.

Jeroen Dubbeldam (clear yesterday and today on Zenith SFN):

On getting ready for the World Championships with Zenith SFN: “The only championship experience I have with Zenith SFN is from the Dutch Championship, and that is on another level – but actually the way of doing it and preparing for it is quite the same. The fences and the classes are bigger here, but I did not do anything different actually. That he can do these classes I know from Rome, Rotterdam and Aachen – so I did not change too much from what I did towards the Dutch Championships earlier this year.”

Gerco Schröder (clear yesterday and today on Glock’s London N.O.P.):

On the competition so far: “I have great feeling. London has been jumping fantastic for two days, and everything is very close here. Things can happen quickly, so I think we have to stay focused tomorrow and do our best again.”

On Glock’s London N.O.P.: “He is a really special horse. He is quiet outside the ring, but when he comes in the ring he really fights and he does everything for me.”

On keeping the ride on one of the best horses in the world: “Of course there was a long period of time where everything was very unsure, but in the end that the Glock-family bought London for me was just fantastic and a big moment.”

Dutch Chef d’Equipe Rob Ehrens:

On his team’s performances: “I am very pleased, also yesterday – all my riders did marvellous rounds. They are all very motivated, concentrated – the horses are all in a good shape. We are realistic though, it will be a difficult day tomorrow – but for now we are very happy and ready for tomorrow.”

On his riders: “It’s always a big help with experienced riders like Jeroen and Gerco, but also Maikel and Jur have done really well the last years. The most important thing in our team is that we have a really good team spirit. We all work together to get the best result.”

On who goes when on his team: “It’s not only to put somebody as number 1, 2, 3 and 4. First I think about it, then we discuss it among each other. For me as a coach it is important to find a place where the riders are comfortable. There are riders that are comfortable starting as number one, and you have riders that are comfortable when they are last to go (…). Everything also depends on the draw, and unfortunately we had two of them here at these championships. And then it is really important that you have somebody to start – like Jeroen Dubbeldam – who have no problems going in early and doing that. A rider who has his own plan and knows exactly how his horse is. And the last rider must be ready to make that difference in the end, if something changes – for example for us today with a  clear round from Jeroen and then from Maikel and then Jur had a difficult start on his round which means more pressure comes on the anchor man.”

Patrice Delaveau (leader individually):

On Orient Express HDC: “First of all I want to thank my horse Orient Express HDC. He jumped incredibly well today. I hope now that he will keep up his good form, because tomorrow it will be even harder and it is very tight in the top between the best teams and competitors.”

Beezie Madden (in second position):

On her return from injury: “It feels great to be back riding again, and like Patrice I am very thankful to my horse – he has been fantastic here so far.”

 Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (rank three):

On the medals: “You always want another medal, that is for sure – but there is still another round tomorrow and still two more on Saturday. Casall Ask is in good form, he has not competed too much this year. He feels motivated and in great form, and I am very happy with him.”